Buffs drop second straight game in three-set road defeat to Kansas State

Buffs setter Rian Finley serves against the Baylor Bears. (Photo by Nick Rauscher/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (20-5, 10-3 Big 12), fresh off a loss at the hands of the No. 13 Kansas Jayhawks, came to Manhattan to take on the Kansas State Wildcats (14-7, 7-6 Big 12). They came out swinging but were left dumbfounded as they were shut out 3-0.

For Kansas State, outside hitter Aniya Clinton led the way with 17 kills while libero Symone Sims recorded 12 digs. In Colorado’s losing effort, pin attacker Ana Burilović recorded 10 kills but an additional seven errors. However, this was a theme for her team as a whole, as the Buffs finished the night with 15 total errors.

In the first set, the Wildcats opened with solid rhythm, but the Buffs were resilient at each strike dealt. Colorado’s offense had an answer with Cayla Payne and Sydney Jordan trading kills, but K-State’s blocking prowess shut them down. A late CU attack error gave KSU a set point at 24-20, and they shortly closed it out.

The second set was the tightest one, with multiple lead changes and several ties. Kills from the Wildcat hitters were too much for pin attacker Lily Dwinell and middle blocker Maria Spawska. A service ace from KSU gave them the set 26-24.

In the third set, the Buffs showed fight, but KSU dominated. The Wildcats started with a 7-2 scoring run, which the Buffs were unable to match. Coach Jesse Mahoney did what he could by calling timeouts, but it was too little to stop the Wildcat momentum. The Wildcats seized the match with a block on Burilovic. 

"One of the tougher matches we've played this year in terms of our performance," Mahoney said. "I don't believe we've let a team have their way with us offensively the way that Kansas State did.” 

The Buffs will be back home to face the No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs (17-7, 7-5 Big 12) on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).